| dc.description.abstract | The motive behind this study was to investigating the raw materials delivery systems in
the agrochemical sector in Kenya and their effects on the operations of the organizations.
The objectives of the study were to establish raw materials delivery systems used by
agrochemical firms and the relationship between raw materials delivery systems and
operational performance of agrochemical firms in Kenya. Descriptive research design
was used in this study. The target population for this research was the agrochemical
industries in Kenya. The employee in charge of operations in the companies that deal
with agrochemicals were targeted. The study relied mostly on primary and secondary
data sources. Primary data was collected using structured questionnaires. Employees of
Agrochemical firms were respondents of the study. Both postal and electronic
questionnaire were used to collect data from respondents. Secondary data was gathered
from internal reports, media publications and various internet search engines covering the
business process management of Agrochemical firms in Kenya. The Statistical Package
of Social Sciences (SPSS) was used to process and analyse the data in order to determine
the relationship between the variables. Regression and correlation analysis was used to
determine the joint relationship between independent and dependent variables. The study
established that raw material delivery systems gave firms a competitive edge despite the
poor computerization of systems among agrochemical firms in Kenya. The study
established that firms that adopted information management, transport management and
handling of raw materials in transit realized operational efficiency and effectiveness. The
study concluded that; raw material management is critical to the overall performance of
any manufacturing concern. Beside demand and other forces like competitor’s actions
and general price index; raw material situation in terms of efficient management and
effective planning determines the activity level, the turn-over and the ultimate profit in a
given company. The study recommended that despite the poor level of computerization
among agrochemical firms, managers of manufacturing firms should be responsible in
implementing supply chain changes for efficiency and effectiveness of their firms. | en_US |
